Manchester City will beat Manchester United to the £50million summer signing of Brazil midfielder Fred, according to his former coach.

And Mircea Lucescu predicts the Shakhtar Donetsk star will replace Fernandinho in the City midfield — just like he did when he joined the Ukrainian champions as his replacement in 2013.

Lucescu, who brought Fred to Donetsk from Brazil during his 12-year reign at Shakhtar, said the 24-year-old now has the discipline to play at a higher level — and has already chosen the Etihad Stadium over their neighbours and rivals at Old Trafford.

Fred played against City twice this season in the Champions League's group stage (Image: Getty)

Now boss of Turkey's national team, Lucescu said: “Shakhtar Donetsk’s best player is Fred in the centre of midfield. He was a bit anarchic on the left. I moved him in front of the defence.

“He will go to City like Fernandinho before him.”

Fernandinho joined from Shakhtar for £34m and has made 141 Premier League appearances over four and a half years, but will turn 33 before the current campaign ends.